Golfing accessory

ABSTRACT

A golfing accessory including a ball retainer, a tee holder associated with the ball retainer, a ball marker holder associated with the ball retainer and an attachment device associated with the ball retainer. The attachment device is configured for releasable attachment to a belt, pocket or waist band of a golfer or other object associated with the game of golf.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/396,056, filed Jul. 16, 2002 the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The game of golf requires a plurality of equipment in order to play. This equipment typically includes a set of golf club's, a golf ball, a plurality of golf tees and a ball marker. As the game progresses, balls may get lost and tees may get broken requiring the player to replace these items frequently. As a result, players may either carry extra balls and extra tees in their pocket or they may retrieve these items from their golf bag. Unfortunately, some players find that objects disposed within their pockets during a game negatively affect their balance and thus their swing. Alternatively, some players find that having to retrieve these items from their golf bag negatively affect game tempo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies are overcome or alleviated by a golfing accessory including a ball retainer, a tee holder associated with the ball retainer, a ball marker holder associated with the ball retainer and an attachment device associated with the ball retainer. A golfing accessory in an exemplary embodiment includes a ball retainer configured to retain at least one golf ball; a tee holder associated with the ball retainer, the tee holder being configured to hold at least one tee; a ball marker holder associated with the ball retainer, the ball marker holder being configured to hold at least one ball marker; and an attachment device associated with the ball retainer, the attachment device being configured to releasably secure the ball retainer to at least one of a golfer and an object associated with the game of golf.

[0004] The above discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:

[0006]FIG. 1A is a side view of a golfing accessory;

[0007]FIG. 1B is a side view of the golfing accessory of FIG. 1A with a clip assembly;

[0008]FIG. 1C is a side view of a clip assembly of the golfing accessory of FIG. 1A;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the golfing accessory of FIG. 1A;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a top down view of a golfing accessory;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a golfing accessory holding two golf balls and two tees;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a golfing accessory holding two golf balls and two tees;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the golfing accessory of FIG. 2; and

[0014]FIG. 7 is a top down view of the golfing accessory of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0015] An exemplary embodiment is described herein by way of illustration as may be applied to a golfing accessory. While an exemplary embodiment is shown and described hereinbelow, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiment and application described herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of potential configurations and implementations are possible within the scope of the disclosed embodiment.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, an exemplary embodiment of a golfing accessory 100 is shown and discussed. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment golfing accessory 100 includes a ball retainer 102 and an attachment device 104, wherein attachment device 104 is non-removably associated with ball retainer 102. Ball retainer 102 includes a retainer top 106 and a retainer bottom 108, wherein retainer top 106 defines a top cavity 110 and retainer bottom 108 defines a bottom cavity 112. Retainer top 106 is disposed relative to retainer bottom 108 so as to be separated by a ball cavity 114. Moreover, Ball retainer 102 also includes a tee holder 116 and a marker holder 118, wherein tee holder 116 defines a tee cavity 120 and wherein marker holder 118 includes a holder top 122 and a holder lip 124, wherein holder top 122 and holder lip 124 are disposed relative to ball retainer 102 so as to define a marker cavity 126.

[0017] Referring to the figures, retainer top 106 is disposed relative to retainer bottom 108 such that top cavity 110 is parallel with bottom cavity 112. Morever, retainer top 106 is disposed relative to retainer bottom 108 such that ball cavity 114 is sized and shaped so as to allow a golf ball 142 to be frictionally and/or removably associated with ball retainer 102, wherein golf ball 142 is seatedly communicated with top cavity 110 and bottom cavity 112. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, ball retainer 102 may be sized and shaped so as to be associated with either a single and/or a plurality of golf balls 142. In addition, although golf ball 142 is frictionally and/or removably associated with ball retainer 102 by inserting golf ball 142 into ball cavity 114 such that golf ball 142 is communicated with top cavity 110 and/or bottom cavity 112, golf ball 142 may be frictionally and/or removably associated with ball retainer 102 using any method and/or device suitable to the desired end purpose. For example, an alternative embodiment is described below with reference to FIGS. 6 ad 7. Golf ball 142 may advantageously be removably associated with ball cavity 114 by disposing golf ball 142 within ball cavity 114.

[0018] Moreover, marker holder 118 includes a magnetic device 144 associated with marker cavity 126 so as to allow a ball marker 146 to be removably associated with marker holder 118. Although ball marker 146 is preferably associated with marker holder 118 via magnetic device, ball marker 146 may be associated with marker holder 118 using any device and/or method suitable to the desired end purpose, such as a clip, friction fit and/or velcro. Furthermore, marker holder 118 may be sized and shaped so as to allow a plurality and/or a variety of different shaped ball markers 146 to be removably associated with marker holder 118. Ball marker 146 may advantageously be removably associated with marker holder 118 by disposing ball marker 146 within marker cavity 126. Tee cavity 120 may be sized and shaped so as to allow a plurality and/or a variety of different shaped golf tees 148 to be removably associated with tee holder 116. In addition, although golf tees 148 are preferably removably associated with tee holder 116 via a friction fit, golf tees 148 may be removably associated with tee holder 116 using any method and/or device suitable to the desired end purpose. Golf tee 148 may advantageously be removably associated with tee cavity 120 by disposing golf tee 148 within tee cavity 120.

[0019] Furthermore, attachment device 104 includes an attachment base 128 and an attachment member 130 having a handle 131 and an angular portion 132, wherein attachment base 128 is associated with ball retainer 102 and wherein attachment member 130 is movingly and/or springingly associated with attachment base 128 via an attachment arm 134. Attachment base 128, attachment member 130 and attachment arm 134 are preferably disposed realative to each other such that when pressure is applied to handle 131 so as to cause handle 131 to pivot towards attachment base 128, this causes angular portion 132 to pivot away from attachment base 128. When the pressure applied to handle 131 is removed and/or decreased, attachment arm 134 causes handle 131 to pivot away from attachment base 128 and angular portion 132 to pivot towards attachment base 128. Golf accessory 100 may advantageously be associated with a golfer and/or an object by applying pressure to handle 131 and associating attachment member 130 with a belt, pocket and/or waist band.

[0020] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, ball retainer 102, attachment device 104, tee holder 116 and marker holder 118 are preferably constructed from a plastic material. However, ball retainer 102, attachment device 104, tee holder 116 and marker holder 118 may be constructed, in whole and/or in part, from any metal, plastic and/or composite material suitable to the desired end purpose.

[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternative exemplary embodiment of a golfing accessory 200 is shown and discussed. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment golfing accessory 200 includes a ball retainer 202 and an attachment device 104, wherein attachment device 104 is non-removably associated with ball retainer 202, as best seen in FIG. 7. Ball retainer 202 includes a cylinder 206 having an open end 208 configured to receive a golf ball 142 therethrough and a closed opposite end 210 to retain golf ball 142 in cylinder 206. Cylinder 206 preferably includes a slot 212 configured along a length defining a length of cylinder 206. However, it is contemplated that slot 212 may be shorter. Slot 212 is configured to allow manipulation of golf ball 142 in cylinder 206 with a finger to cause removal of golf ball 142 therefrom. The length is preferably suitable for two golf balls 142 (as shown in FIG. 6) within cylinder 206. In an alternative embodiment, the closed opposite end 210 may include an aperture indicated in phantom at 214 with respect to FIG. 7. Aperture 214 is preferably configured to allow manipulation of golf balls 142 in cylinder 206 while preventing exit of golf balls 142 therethrough. Aperture 214 may be configured in conjunction with slot 212 or in lieu thereof.

[0022] Cylinder 206 defines a ball cavity 214. Moreover, ball retainer 202 also includes tee holder 116 and marker holder 118, wherein tee holder 116 defines tee cavity 120 and wherein marker holder 118 includes holder top 122 and holder lip 124, wherein holder top 122 and holder lip 124 are disposed relative to ball retainer 202 so as to define marker cavity 126.

[0023] Still referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 and in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, ball retainer 202 may be sized and shaped so as to be associated with either a single and/or a plurality of golf balls 142. In addition, although golf ball 142 is frictionally and/or removably associated with ball retainer 202 by inserting golf ball 142 into ball cavity 214 such that golf ball 142 is communicated within cylinder 206, golf ball 142 may be frictionally and/or removably associated with ball retainer 202 using any method and/or device suitable to the desired end purpose. Golf ball 142 may advantageously be removably associated with ball cavity 214 by disposing golf ball 142 within ball cavity 214.

[0024] Furthermore, attachment device 104 may include attachment base 128 and attachment member 130 having handle 131 and angular portion 132, wherein attachment base 128 is associated with ball retainer 202 and wherein attachment member 130 is movingly and/or springingly associated with attachment base 128 via an attachment arm 134 as described above. In an exemplary embodiment, attachment device 104 may be a single piece clip 104 integrally formed with and extending from ball retainer 202. Golf accessory 200 may advantageously be associated with a golfer and/or an object by a resilient clip 104 by associating the clip 104 with a belt, pocket and/or waist band, as well as any other object associated with the game of golf, including, but not limited to, a golf bag, for example.

[0025] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, ball retainer 202, attachment device or clip 104, tee holder 116 and marker holder 118 are preferably constructed from a plastic material. However, ball retainer 202, attachment device or clip 104, tee holder 116 and marker holder 118 may be constructed, in whole and/or in part, from any metal, plastic and/or composite material suitable to the desired end purpose. Furthermore, although cyclinder 206 is described as being intermediate tee holder 116 and marker holder 118, other ordered combinations are contemplated, such as for example, disposing cylinder 206 on one of the two outboard ends of ball retainer 202.

[0026] One advantageous feature of the above described embodiment is a golfing accessory including a ball retainer, a tee holder associated with the ball retainer, a ball marker holder associated with the ball retainer and an attachment device associated with the ball retainer. Another advantageous feature is a golfing accessory including a ball retainer configured with a ball cavity, wherein the ball cavity defines a cavity to releasably retain a golf ball therein; a tee holder, wherein the tee holder defines a tee cavity and is non-movably associated with the ball retainer; a ball marker holder, wherein the ball marker holder is non-movably associated with the ball retainer and includes a holder top and a holder lip disposed relative to the ball retainer so as to define a marker cavity and an attachment device, wherein the attachment device is non-movably associated with the ball retainer, wherein the attachment device is springingly associated with the ball retainer.

[0027] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the essential scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the embodiment disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golfing accessory comprising: a ball retainer configured to retain at least one golf ball; a tee holder associated with said ball retainer, said tee holder configured to hold at least one tee; a ball marker holder associated with said ball retainer, said ball marker holder configured to hold at least one ball marker; and an attachment device associated with said ball retainer, said attachment device configured to releasably secure said ball retainer to at least one of a golfer and an object associated with the game of golf.
 2. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said ball retainer includes a retainer top and a retainer bottom, said retainer top defines a top cavity and wherein said retainer bottom defines a bottom cavity and wherein said retainer top is disposed so as to be separated from said retainer bottom via a ball cavity.
 3. The accessory of claim 2 wherein said retainer top and said retainer bottom are substantially parallel with respect to one another, said parallel orientation of said retainer top and said retainer bottom include horizontal, vertical, and all degrees of rotation therebetween.
 4. The accessory of claim 2 wherein said ball retainer includes a pair of retainer tops and a pair of corresponding retainer bottoms, each said retainer top and corresponding said retainer bottom defining a separate ball cavity configured to frictionally receive a separate golf ball.
 5. The accessory of claim 4 wherein said tee holder is disposed at one outboard end defining said ball retainer and said ball marker holder is disposed between said pair of retainer tops.
 6. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said ball marker holder is non-movably associated with the ball retainer and includes a holder top and a holder lip disposed relative to the ball retainer so as to define a marker cavity.
 7. The accessory of claim 6 wherein said ball marker holder is configured to retain a ball marker using at least one of a magnetic force, friction fit, clip, and hook and loop fastener.
 8. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said tee holder defines a tee cavity non-movably associated with said ball retainer, said tee cavity configured to releasably retain a variety of different shaped golf tees.
 9. The accessory of claim 8 wherein said tee holder is configured to releasably retain a plurality of golf tees.
 10. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said attachment device is non-movably associated with said ball retainer, said attachment device includes, an attachment base, an attachment member and an attachment arm, said attachment base is springingly associated with said attachment member via said attachment arm.
 11. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said attachment device is a clip non-movably associated with aid ball retainer, said clip configured to releasably couple with one of a belt, a pocket, a waist band, and an object associated with the game of golf.
 12. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said ball retainer, said attachment device, said tee holder, and said ball marker holder are constructed of plastic.
 13. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said ball retainer includes a cylinder having an open end configured to receive a golf ball therethrough and a closed opposite end to retain said golf ball in said cylinder.
 14. The accessory of claim 13 wherein said cylinder includes a slot configured along a length defining a length of said cylinder, said slot configured to allow manipulation of said golf ball in said cylinder with a finger.
 15. The accessory of claim 14 wherein said length is suitable for two golf balls within said cylinder.
 16. The accessory of claim 13 wherein said closed opposite end includes an aperture configured to allow manipulation of said golf ball in said cylinder while retaining said golf ball in said cylinder.
 17. The accessory of claim 13 wherein said tee holder is disposed at one outboard end and said ball marker holder is disposed at an opposite outboard end defining said ball retainer having said cylinder disposed therebetween.
 18. The accessory of claim 13 wherein said attachment device is a clip integrally extending from said ball retainer opposite said cylinder, said clip configured to releasably couple with one of a belt, a pocket, a waist band and an object associated with the game of golf.
 19. The accessory of claim 13 wherein said ball retainer including said cylinder, said attachment device, said tee holder, and said ball marker holder are constructed of plastic. 